Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Policy

Every year, Air Canada serves more than 100,000 unaccompanied passengers. Every kid who participates in the Air Canada unaccompanied minor program receives excellent care and travel assistance from the highly-trained airline crew from the time they check in until the time of arrival. 

Here are comprehensive facts on the policies and minimum age requirements for kids traveling alone. In addition, we have provided a thorough analysis of the unaccompanied minor’s travel itinerary, the airline service charge, and more.

Rules for Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Policy

According to Air Canada’s policy for unaccompanied minors, the airline charges a service fee of 118 USD/CAD per child for each leg of the trip when departing from Canada or the US. Also:

• Children who are traveling alone must purchase tickets at the same price as adults.
• Only children who are traveling alone can connect to Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express flights.
• Children aged 8 to 17 who are traveling alone can get Air Canada Bistro service. The cost of the meal is already included in the fee for unaccompanied minors on Air Canada. 
• Children traveling alone cannot bring their pets with them in the airplane cabin.
• Only individuals who are 16 years or older and considered adults are allowed to accompany children who are under the age of 12.
• You are allowed to travel both within your own country and to other countries.
• Unaccompanied minors are not allowed to travel on the final connection or leg of the day.
• Minors are not allowed to book red-eye flights under the unaccompanied minors program. Exceptions may apply in certain cases:
  • Taking a flight to another country
  • Domestic short-haul flights that don’t stop, and the flight must be less than 2 hours long.
  • Domestic flights in Canada
• According to Air Canada Seat Selection Policy, Minors can not sit on emergancy seat.

Age Restrictions for Unaccompanied Minor

Air Canada’s policy for children who are traveling alone sets age limits and includes the following clauses:

• Below 8 Years of Age
  • Children who are younger than 8 years old need to be with an adult who is at least 16 years old. 
  • The child should sit next to the adult they are with, and both of them should be in the same cabin.
• Between 8 and 11 Years of Age
  • Children between the ages of 8 and 11 are required to use Air Canada’s minor travel-alone service. 
• Between 12 and 17 years of age
  • People between the ages of 12 and 17 can choose not to use the service.
  • Please be sure to check Air Canada’s stance on single minors before you fly to avoid any problems.

How to Book Unaccompanied Minors Service? 

If you want to find out if an unaccompanied minor can travel or book their travel, you need to contact Air Canada. They will let you know if it’s allowed and make sure everything is properly documented. 

Prepare to Fly

When it’s time to leave, we suggest talking to your child about the trip and reminding them to ask Air Canada staff if they have any questions. Make sure to inform the airlines about any special needs your child may have, and kindly remind them to never leave the gate area. Parents or legal guardians need to pack the following items for unaccompanied minors:

• You can enjoy video games, novels, magazines, snacks, or other types of entertainment.
• A compact backpack that contains only the most important items.
• You can transport larger items in a checked bag, and the adult with you can pick it up after the plane lands.
• Attach a contact card and ID card to your child’s outerwear or carry-on bag.

Documents Required

Could you please inquire at the Air Canada airport support desk about the drop-off and pick-up procedures for unaccompanied minors? Your child will receive a LAN ID to wear during the trip. When traveling, passengers should have a pack of documents ready, which includes boarding passes and identification. To check in, the adult accompanying the person must provide the following information:

• Photo ID, like a driver’s license or passport, is required.
• Give your address and how to reach you.
• Air Canada unaccompanied minor permission form. A copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport. 
• Name, address, and contact details for the adult who will meet the unaccompanied child at their destination.

• Enjoy the advantages of Air Canada’s Flight Change Policy, which offers flexibility for your travel plans. Discover different choices, the requirements you need to meet, and the simple steps to change your reservations. Air Canada is committed to providing a customer-focused approach to make travel adjustments easy and stress-free, even if plans change or unexpected situations occur.

   

Take-off and boarding

A parent or legal guardian must bring the child to the departure gate and stay with the kid until the plane takes off.  If they have a link, Air Canada staff will take the child with them. Air Canada says that young people should sit near a flight worker in the back of the plane to make sure they are safe.

Pick-Up Service

A parent or legal guardian must bring the child to the departure gate and stay with the kid until the plane takes off.  If they have a link, Air Canada staff will take the child with them. Air Canada says that young people should sit near a flight worker in the back of the plane to make sure they are safe.

• Passengers need to call Air Canada if the person picking them up at the destination changes. To ensure proper notification, please contact the airline at least 2 hours before your scheduled arrival.
• If someone else will be picking up the child upon arrival, Air Canada will contact the adult who originally accompanied the child to confirm their identity.  
• To meet an unaccompanied minor at the gate, the person picking them up at the destination airport needs to get a gate pass.

Unaccompanied Minor Service Fees and Cost

According to Air Canada’s policy for children traveling alone, there will be a service fee of 100-118 USD/CAD for each child, regardless of the class or fare you choose. Here is a summary of the services provided for each age group:

Simply put, if a child is under 18 years old, their parents need to make plans for their care and transportation before the airline will allow them to travel alone. Don’t forget to review the rules and regulations for Air Canada’s unaccompanied minor program. Once you make the necessary arrangements, your family member will definitely feel safe.

FAQs

What is the Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Policy, and how does it work?

The Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Policy ensures that children traveling alone receive proper care and assistance throughout their journey, from check-in to arrival.

Children aged 8 to 17 can use the unaccompanied minor service, while those under 8 must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or older.

How much does Air Canada charge for the Unaccompanied Minor Service?

Air Canada charges a service fee of 118 USD/CAD per child for each leg of the trip when departing from Canada or the US.

The service fee includes the Air Canada Bistro meal for children aged 8 to 17 traveling alone.

Are there any age restrictions for children traveling alone on Air Canada flights?

• Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or older.
• Children between 8 and 11 years old are required to use Air Canada’s minor travel-alone service.
• Children between 12 and 17 years old have the option not to use the service.

How can I book the Unaccompanied Minors Service for my child?

To book the Unaccompanied Minors Service, you need to contact Air Canada directly.

They will provide information on whether the service is allowed for your specific itinerary and assist with the booking process.

What documents are required for an unaccompanied minor to travel on Air Canada?

• Children must have valid identification documents, such as a passport or government-issued ID.
• A copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport and an Air Canada unaccompanied minor permission form is also required.
• The adult accompanying the child must provide their photo ID and contact information.